The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-29
ANOTHER EXPRESS ROBBERY
Train on the Southern Pacific Railway
Robbed by a Half-Dozen Desperadoes.
They Obtain Access to the Express Car by
Threatening to Blow 1t Up. and Secure
$o,0O0-The Passengers Not MOlested.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 28-One of the most
audaeious desperate and successful train rob-
berries that was ever recorded occurred yester-
day on the west-bound overland train on the
Southern Pacific railroad near Tucson, A. T. A
special dispatch to the Evening Bulletin from
Tucson gives the details of the affair as follows:
The western bound express, due here at 1870,
last evening, was stopped and robbed at Papago
station, eighteen miles east of here about $50
o'clock. last evening. The number of men en-
gagged in the robbery is variously estimated at
from five to eight. Colonel Harper, the engi-
neer, when approaching Papago. side-station,
'Tas signaled by red lantern to stop. He
slowed down, and as he approached the light he
noticed Instructions the track so placed that
in case he failed to stop the engine would spread
the track and derail itself. Immediately on
stopping, dozen or more shots were fred
into the express car, and man
with pistol in each hand board
ed the locomotive and commanded Harper
not to get down. The other robbers had
in the meantime. been prying open the express
car. and, failing to get it open. they placed a
stick ofsgant powder under it, and compelled
Harper to light the fuse attached This he was
messenger opened the and the robbers took
possession. After extinguishing the fuse they
then took charge of the car, uncoupled the
engine, baggage and express car from the re-
mainder of the train, and made Harper get on
the engine AID iii ahead two lengths This
being done, Harper was again put off and the
robbers took charge of the engine and pulled
six miles toward Tucson. Here they killed"
the engine and left it. During the run the rob
bsrs went through the mail and express cars, but
did not get more thar S., 900. They got two
packages of railroad money, containing
$l,2l0, apd one of $500. and also two packages
of postage stamps going to the postofice at San
Francisco 1t is reported that the express mes
senger threw So. 500 in gold into stove and so
saved it from the robbers.
Nothing was known here of the affair until
past midnight, when a telegram was received
from Pantano, brakeman having walked back
down and the train brought in at 6 this morn
ing. None of the passengers were molested
Some of the passengers knew nothing of the
trouble until after their arrival here. Under
Sheriff Shibell was early at the scene of trouble
but could discover nothing that would lead to
the identity of the robbers. Ten trallers, under
Deputy Sheriff M. F. Shaw, have left for the
scene of the trouble The robbers are believed
to be discharged railroad employees. Although
they compelled engineer Harper to show them
how to handle the locomotive. it is believed, By
their actions in handling the train, that they
were familiar with such work.
Office of the Southern Pacific Company in this
city, Mr.. A. N Towne, general manager, issued
the following circular with orders to the COM
papys agents to post in conspicuous places:
"The mail and express cars on our west bound
express train, when at a point seventeen miles
east of Tucson, A. t., at 10 o'clock last night,
were stopped and robbed by four FIVE men.
The Southern Pacific Railroad Company hereby
offers reward of 1000 each for the arrest and
conviction of the robbers which is in addition to
like reward offered by the Wells, Fargo g. Co.
express. In addition to this. We understand the
United States Postoffce Department has q
standing reward of 5000 each for the arrest and
conviction of persons who engage in robbing the
nails
From information received by him, Genera
Manager Towne said this afternoon, in reference
to the affair:
'.There were five shots fred from the band OF
robbers into the express car after the train had
been brought 20 stop. When the train came
| to a standstIl), the engineer and fireman were
| ordered to get off the engine, which they did.
| Then they were each given stick of giant pow
| der ard told that they must compel the mail
| agents and express messengers to open tine car
or the robbers would, with revolvers, com pc
| them to light the dynamite to destroy the car.
| Under these threats the express messenger and
! mail agents abandoned their car. The robbers
then uncouped the locomotive, express ani
| mail cars from the train. and got on the engine
and ran down the track two miles. There they
stopped and took all tine money they could
1 L
| & Co. was about So, 600 No passengers wer,
molested. The robbers did not enter the pas
| senger cars. When the robbers went on the 10
/ comotive they left the engine and fireman stand
| ing beside the track. The engineer and fireman
| followed the course taken, and took the iocomo
tive and cars back to the train. and proceede,
westward. Nosone was injured. and have no
| yet heard as to whether the mail was rifed."
| Additional facts we're received concerning tn
robbery in dispatches to Wells. Fargo & Co
| They were to the effect that the train was helt
| up thre miles east of Papago, in a cut. TIL
mail was robbed. as vol as the express. N.
/ one was injured by shooting. When the new
| was carried back to Pantano concerning tn
robbery. United States Marshal Mead and
! deputy with two deputy sheriffs and two Others
started after the train. The locomotive an
were found st the whistling post. about on
was was dead" The headlight was put ou
/ and the air-brakes There trac
of the robbers. Marshal Mead sent for troop
to Fort Lowell and thirtv-fve soldiers lei
there at 5 o'clock this morning to scour tn
| country. Officer Harris was expected to arriv
| soon, and another party. with Indian trailer.
was expected to arrive from Yuma to hunt fo
| the robbers.
Colonel Wilder, superintendent of the ma
service, said. this afternoon, that he had jus
received dispatch frcm Mr.. True, the ma
agent on the route between Los Angeles an
Deming, concerning '.he robbery Mail and el
| press agents were given jus, one and one. ha
| minute TO get out. under threats OF bein
| blown up with dynamite, and they at once &c
out The express messenger saved S.. 900 frol
the robbers by hastily hiding it. The extent
the mail robbery Colonel Wilder did not know
/ Mr.. True had te,legraphed that he would sen
! particulars from Los Angeles. The express ws
/ running light or. this trip.
With fhe rewards offered by the railroad con
/ pany Wells. Fargo q CO., and the standing offt
/ of the Postofiea Department. ii will profit WIN
ever may be tho captor of the robbers 81, 200 f,
each capture.